[16] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES APPRECIATE AGREEMENT REACHED IN
THE ROUND TABLE CALLED BY ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

[01] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BEFORE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES
OF POLITICAL FORCES

TIRANE, MARCH 9 (ATA) - President of Albania Sali Berisha made the
following declaration before the meeting of political forces today:

"From this hall, let us together declare today that which Albania
needs more than ever: the platform of national reconciliation.

I think that the situation created, a quick and immediate ending of
the violent acts, the bringing of the country out of the very difficult
situation demands first of all by the politicians of this country to rise
above all party pressures and interests, to rise at the level of imperative
demand, which for me today is national conciliation.

I have the conviction that this platform would be the best news we
all have to convey today and for the future to every Albanian family, to
every Albanian home. All Albanian nation expects this from us.

But this would also be the noblest message, the most civilized one we
would convey to our friends, to our neighbours and all those who have
assisted Albania with great hospitality during all these 5 years and who
have followed and are following with a deep grief the latest developments
in Albania.

During these days, in the efforts we all are making, in the efforts
all Albanians are making to find the best solution to the problems,
naturally, various variants and options have come up into my mind and into
the minds of each of you.

But I have jumped to the conclusion that the act of national
conciliation stands today as an imperative on all other acts. The
alternative of national conciliation is the best alternative, the noblest
one, therefore I invite you, representatives of the country's main
political parties, I invite the Albanians wherever they are, to hail this
alternative with an open heart at a moment when the country needs their
support more than ever.

In this noble act, which is as magnificent as a human spirit, there
are not and cannot be losers. Anything lost in the name of conciliation is
worth losing.

I will launch here before you some ideas regarding this act, but I
invite you to discuss and appear before Albania, before the Albanians and
the Albanian nation with an unanimous opinion on this act, which, I will
consider, for the moment, an extraordinary important, noble act:

- I think that the Albanian parliament should declare a general
amnesty for all those civilians and military who were involved in the
developments of the revolt of pyramid schemes.

- Sunday be declared a day of national mourning and pray for all
those who lost their lives during this period.

- Let us agree to create a government which would have the
participation of all political forces here, naming it a Government of
National Conciliation.

- The parliamentary elections be held no later than in two months's
time.

- In this act of conciliation, we invite SP deputies to take their
seats in the parliament.

- International institutions must fully monitor the elections.

- Within a week's time, citizens must surrender all arms and
ammunition.

- The government of National Conciliation, which would also prepare
the polls, must start serious efforts with international institutions and
friendly countries and take all measures to help, with priority, the
damaged zones.

These were some of my viewpoints and ideas for the platform of
national conciliation, which, I am convinced, is the one which Albania and
the Albanians need so badly today.

I invite you to enrich this platform with your ideas," ends the
declaration of Albanian President before his meeting today with
representatives of political forces. ake/kled/xh/

[02] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND
MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - "I think that the Albanian Parliament should
declare a general amnesty for all those civilians and military who were
involved in the developments of the revolt of pyramid schemes", declared
Albanian President Sali Berisha in the round table held with
representatives of political parties, broadcast directly by the Albanian
Television. /kled/mt/E

[03] ACT OF NATIONAL CONCILIATION STANDS AN AN IMPERATIVE ON ALL OTHER ACTS
- Berisha

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - "The act of national conciliation stands today as
an imperative on all other acts," declared President Berisha today in a
round table with representatives of political forces, directly broadcast by
Albanian television.

"The alternative of national conciliation is the best alternative,
the noblest one," said Berisha who invited the representatives of the
country's main political political forces, all Albanians wherever they are,
"to hail this alternative with an open heart at a moment when the country
needs their support more than ever."

"In this noble act, which is as magnificent as a human spirit, there
are not and cannot be losers. Anything lost in the name of conciliation is
worth losing," said President Berisha. kled/xh/E

[04] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND
MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - "I think that the Albanian Parliament should
declare a general amnesty for all those civilians and military who were
involved in the developments of the revolt of pyramid schemes", declared
Albanian President Sali Berisha in the round table held with
representatives of political parties, broadcast directly by the Albanian
Television.

Berisha also said in the meeting that the citizens must surrender all
arms and ammunition within a week's time. /kled/mt/E

[05] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT INVITES SOCIALIST DEPUTIES TO TAKE THEIR SEATS IN
THE PARLIAMENT

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - "In this act of conciliation, I invite SP deputies
to take their seats in the parliament," said President Berisha in his
declaration before the meeting with representatives of Albanian political
forces today.

In the round table of the political forces, which was directly
broadcast by Albanian television, all the participating political forces
appealed to the Socialist party to take part in the parliament.

"Your presence in the Parliament is a very conciliatory message you
convey not only to your electorate but also to the other electorates which
want to see you in the parliament," said Berisha to SP representatives.

Representatives of the Socialist Party present in the meeting agreed
on all the points presented by President Berisha.

With regard to a possible participation of the SP deputies in the
Parliament, Socialist representatives asked permission to discuss the
matter with their party's presidency. kled/xh/e

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: Italian Minister of Foreign
Affairs Lamberto Dini will arrive in on a blitz visit to Albania today
afternoon, sources of the Foreign Ministry of Albania and of the Italian
Embassy in Tirana report.

During this visit, Mr Dini will have meetings with the President of
Albania, Sali Berisha.

Although the program of Mr Dini's visit is not yet made clear, it is
believed he will meet with representatives of political forces and senior
official personalities of Albania.

Italy, one of Albania's neighbouring countries, where about 50 000
Albanians are working and living, has voiced its great concern over the
latest events in Albania.

"The Albanian crisis is a typical European crisis of the post cold war,
very far from U.S. to be of interest for it, and very near Europe to be
ignored by it," said Mr Lamberto Dini in a speech in Venice last
Saturday. xh/sh/

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT PROPOSES ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
GOVERNMENT

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - Albanian President Sali Berisha proposed Sunday, in
the meeting with the political forces held in Tirana, the establishment of
a government with the representation of all political forces, named the
Government of National Reconciliation.

The representatives of political parties, participant in the meeting,
agreed with the proposal of President Berisha.

"The parliamentary election be held no later than in two month's time",
declared President Berisha in the meeting held Sunday with the Albanian
political forces for the situation in the country.

International institutions must fully monitor the elections, said
Berisha before the meeting.

"The Government of National Reconciliation, which would also prepare
the polls, must start serious efforts with international institutions and
friendly countries and take all measures to help, with priority, the
damaged zones", said Berisha. /eva/kled/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - The political parties, invited in a meeting by
Albanian President Sali Berisha to discuss today a Platform of National
Reconciliation regarding the present situation in the country, namely the
Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, the Republican Party, the Human
Rights Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party, the Social Democratic Party,
the Democratic Alliance Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Movement of
Legality Party and the Christian Democratic Party reached an agreement on
the following points:

1. Albanian Parliament must declare a general amnesty for all the
civilians and military who were involved in the revolt caused by the
collapse of pyramid schemes.

2. to declare a Government of National Reconciliation with the
representation of all the political parties present in the round table
discussion,

3. all citizens in districts of Albania hand in all their weapons and
ammunition within a week.

4. Next Sunday, March 16, 1997, be declared a day of national
mourning to pay homage to all those who lost their lives during this
period.

5. parliamentary elections be held not later than June, 1997.

6. Parliamentary elections be conducted under full international
monitoring.

7. The government, in cooperation with the local and international
institutions, should adopt all measures to assist with priority the damaged
zones.

8. To make the state of emergency less restrictive up to its lifting
in the shortest possible time.

9. The parties must continue the dialogue.

To this agreement is also attached an invitation to the Socialist Party by
all the parties to participate in the Parliament, and considered it a
positive influence in the present situation.

The Balli Kombetar Party agrees on this platform but it is of the
opinion that the Government must be named a Government of National
Understanding. xh/sh/

HOROVODE, MARCH 9 (ATA) - According to the reports from the prefecture of
Berat, the commissariat of Skrapar was attacked on Saturday. Today the
situation is chaotic. It is said that this was caused because the policemen
of aorovode went to Lushnje on Saturday to support an operation for passing
the military troops towards Fier.

The situation is not calm even in Polican. According to the sources
from this town, two vehicles with armed people went in the town today, who
after shooting several times volley of bullets in the center of the town,
moved towards aorovode.

Meanwhile from Sinje, commune after Shpirag, according to the talk
with the commune chairman, gunshots are often heard from the part Levan
(Fier).

Today, at 15.30, groups of people, mainly inhabitants of Morava
village, went in front of the military headquarters which is near their
village.

After the calls and the successive persistence "We want weapons, we
want weapons", these people stormed the military unit and facing no
resistance by the soldiers, they began to loot weapons and plunder the
unit.

The majority of the newcomers were children 14-16 years old.

This military unit is situated close to the national road, some 10 km
far from Berat and 2 km far from Ura Vajgurore. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

GJIROKASTER, MARCH 9 (ATA) - The civil defence staff, established after the
situation became tense in the town of Gjirokaster, greeted in a statement
the agreement reached in the round table of President Berisha with ten
political parties, the general amnesty and conduct of elections after three
months.

In the statement was stressed once again the respect of the guards in
the institutions of special importance, by not preventing them in
accomplishing their task, as well as the patrolling of the groups in the
town.

Meanwhile, the understanding reached among the parties was welcomed
positively by the citizens. The declaration of the statement was greeted
with volley of bullets.

In this context, as it is reported in the communique of the defence
staff, a meeting with all political parties of the district will be held on
Monday./kled/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - The director of the Albanian Television, Qemal
Sakajeva, resigned on his personal decision, which was presented officially
in the office of the General Director of the Albanian Radiotelevision,
Bardhyl Pollo.

Sakajeva told the Albanian television that the round table of
political parties called by President Berisha marked today a real event for
the solution of the difficult situation Albania is facing. /kled/ mt/sh/

Two motor fishing boats of the private fishing fleet in Shengjin,
northwestern Albania, were sunk Sunday morning in the open sea.

The first motorman of "Oriona" ship, Preng Pjetri, told ATA that "a
strong cyclone wind swept during all the night the bay of Shengjin, causing
the wreckage of motor fishing boats "Liburna" and "Simaku", with 80
horsepower each.

The fishing ships have stayed in the open sea without crew, in the
conditions of a bad weather, ordered by the boarder police, due to the
gathering of people after a false news for massive exodus from the port of
Shengjin. /a.ke/eva/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - Albanian President Sali Berisha met Sunday the
Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini.
"I am very pleased and glad with the agreement just reached by the
political parties upon your invitation and proposals", said Italian Foreign
Minister Lamberto Dini to President Berisha.

"My visit and presence in Albania right after this news shows that Italy
greets this agreement and is near you and near Albania, showing that the
real friends are near you in difficult moments. By conveying the best
wishes of Premier Prodi and President Scalfaro, I would like to ensure that
the establishment of tranquillity in the country makes possible and easy
for us to help you as soon as possible", said Dini.

President Berisha thanked for the special interest of the friendly
country, Italy, for the recent developments in Albania, expressed his
gratitude for the support and encouragement of Premier Prodi and President
Scalfaro to overcome the very difficult situation in the country.

President Berisha made a description of the agreement reached as a very
good ground of cooperation, not only to overcome the current difficulties,
but also for the future of the country. The decision to establish a
government of national reconciliation is a good message for all the
Albanians to start a new vital road for the future of the nation.

Italian Minister Dini ensured President Berisha that this agreement
marks a very important moment for Albania, which opens way to the immediate
aid to Albania in all the fields from friendly countries, as well as from
international institutions.

President Berisha also stressed that Albania is resolute to put an end
to pyramid schemes once and for all.

On this occasion, Minister Dini ensured President Berisha that in the
meeting of March 24th, Italy will encourage and support the increase of aid
to Albania from the European Union, and pointed out that the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank are prepared to come with useful programs
to help the country come out of the situation./mt/sh/

[16] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES APPRECIATE AGREEMENT REACHED IN
THE ROUND TABLE CALLED BY ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

TIRANA, MARCH 9 (ATA) - The representatives of political parties which
participated in the round table called by President Berisha, after signing
the agreements, issued statements for the Albanian Television, in which
they estimated the agreement reached.

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, said that the
agreement is an act of the President which provides national unity, peace
and tranquillity of people.

"The Democratic Party, all its structures, activists and supporters,
will work to disarm the people, maintain order, peace, tranquility,
beginning the normal life, to help and support those zones which were
gravely affected by the recent events".

Shehu said that they will work to provide a normal political life, and
to conclude, a normal, open and democratic electoral process.

SP secretary Pandeli Majko said that the situation created in Albania,
made conscious all the political forces, without exception, for everything
happening in the country. "What happened today, I think was the beginning,
and I hope to be a good one" - said Majko.

He added that all the political parties have experienced the loss of
lives of the sons from all regions of Albania, from North to South, as well
as the scenes we were used to see in Chechnya or in Afghanistan. "Now we
are trying to offer with our responsibilities another view to Europe, to
tell her we are part of it".

With regard to the invitation of President Berisha to take up seats in
Parliament, Majko said that the invitation of Parliament was commented
simply as a moral act to calm down the situation, but their answer was that
"the moral act starts with Vlore".

The Republican chairman Godo said that the agreement today makes
possible the pacification of the situation, "to save the Albanian people
from the terrible conflict he started". "Now, I do not believe that there
exist any reason to have conflicts, not to surrender the weapons and not to
discuss further about the problems which need solution. It is done now
everything it should be done to maintain order and to look forward",
declared Godo.

"Today we have reached a historical agreement in a critical moment
for Albania, and I am convinced that this agreement will calm down the
situation", said Thoma Mico, representative of the Human Right Union Party,
which protects the interests of the Greek minority in Albania.

Mico invited the minority that wherever it is in Albania to exercise
its authority to the interest of applying this agreement and engaged on
behalf of HRUP that this agreement will be completely implemented and will
be efficacious.

The agreement was also greeted by the representatives of other
parties participant in the round table which considered the table useful
for the maintenance of tranquillity and security in the country and were in
favor of the continuity of dialogue for other problems which should be
solved./kled/pas/mt/sh/